Nevada Nuggets: Washoe County’s namesake

“Washo” and “Wašiw” are accurate spellings for the native Washeshu people who lived in the Lake Tahoe and Pine Nut Mountain regions. The Washo language, a Hokoan derivative, is being preserved and taught today by tribal elders.

Sources: Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Washoe Tribe of Calif. and Nev.

Historic tidbits leading up to Nevada’s 150th birthday on Oct. 31, 2014.